Zach Hyman sounds hyped to reunite with Oilers coach Mike Babcock in Edmonton

Zach Hyman is looking forward to reuniting with Mike Babcock in Edmonton, the Oilers forward revealed Tuesday on OilersNow with Bob Stauffer on 880 CHED.

Hyman spent his first five NHL seasons under Babcock with the Toronto Maple Leafs between 2015 and 2019, and the 63-year-old coach — known across the league for being demanding — appears to be exactly what Edmonton wants.

"I think [Babcock] does a really good job in teaching," Hyman said. "I think he's first and foremost a very good teacher, and when you're out on the ice, there's no grey. It's very black and white, you know exactly what you need to do, you know exactly what your role is, you know exactly how you need to impact the game."

Hyman continued: "It's just up to you to execute and not think about all the other things. I think that kind of simplicity really helps guys lower in the lineup… I think he's able to provide that structure and that accountability from top to bottom, and I think it's really going to be good for our group."

Babcock met with the Oilers' leadership group, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, before being hired. Hyman said the interview process was important for players to understand what the coach would bring to the locker room and how it would affect the team's on-ice play.

"Having played for Babs, I was familiar with him, and I think that interview process was really good," Hyman said. "I think everything resonated, and it's a phenomenal fit."

Two other players who played under Babcock in Toronto — Frederik Andersen and Kasperi Kapanen — have also rejoined the Oilers. Hyman noted their willingness to return speaks volumes about their experiences. "I think it speaks volumes that you have guys coming back like Freddy Andersen and [Kapanen]," he said.